Brave New World for English Rugby
Unusually, the RFU got on the front foot to kick of the New Year with the Nigel Redman interview.
OFF FIELD TRAUMA IN RUGBY OVERSHADOWS AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL EXCITEMENT
There is a surreal atmosphere within rugby right now as excitement builds into the Autumn Internationals and the Women’s World cup reaches its climax with a dream final of England versus the Black Ferns, but off the field it is utter turmoil.
European Rugby Scales The Heights
I feel compelled to reflect on last weekend’s European action simply because the quality of what was on offer reached a new record in my view and also there were some conclusions reached I feel are premature. I know I am biased but the adage of the European Cup being like International rugby played in club jerseys was never truer.
England’s Rugby Realities (2)
Just as we are all ruminating on the right structures to give England rugby success, some fascinating takes have appeared in the press on the England coaching job by Rob Baxter and then Mark McCall.
England’s Rugby Realities
I said it was complicated and in a whole generation of English rugby, only three groups have ever been really successful and all three had the same characteristics.
Six Nations – a (dis)passionate look back.
Rugby romance, drama and crass stupidity at the close in Cardiff was a stunning feature of an ultimately predictable Six Nations as France and Ireland were streets ahead of the rest. I am not one for shouting at the television, and hardly when Wales is playing Italy.
Frustration and Pride in equal measure as 6 Nations glory beckons Les Bleus
The 2022 Six Nations Championship lurched into its final weekend with no shortage of drama. I say that because there was immense frustration as well as variations on the level of discipline needed to succeed at this level.
Ambition on show as a cold wind blows from North to South
This year of all years has been incredibly tough on professional rugby. All the touring teams from the Southern Hemisphere have been in ‘ bubbles ‘ for months and must be mentally and physically exhausted.
Ireland raise the bar and the roof as England mull over style change
It may not have been a World Cup but Ian Foster, the All Blacks coach, emphasised that they want to win every match. If other teams, including most notably England, needed to understand the levels they need to attain, look no further than Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
England Wing It Into Cardiff For The Big One
It has all been about England in this year’s Six Nations, with some very smart kicking strategy and then the ball most often in the hands of their playmakers and matchwinners. With this approach, the traditional back row contests and set piece battles become statistics but not match defining.
